GWR & LNER Class 800s withdrawn
 

GWR & LNER services are being seriously disrupted today (8th May) due to the withdrawal of the Hitachi-built class 800 high speed trains, following concerns over cracks in the suspension system on these units.
It was reported late last week that six GWR class 800 units had been withdrawn due to hairline cracks being found in the suspension system - one report states that the problem is with the yaw dampers.
From 27th April: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-56902528

This now seems to have prompted a larger scale withdrawal today of the entire GWR & LNER fleets, resulting in both companies issuing a 'Do not travel' warning.
This morning's breaking news report from the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57036247

Details for the affected services from GWR: https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/live-network-updates
and LNER: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-inform...travel-alerts/

Tony

Thanks Tony.

I know from speaking to drivers that the 800 software package is very unpopular, but now it seems that the hardware is showing problems.

Oh dear. :eek:

Cheers, John

Cheers John.

Railadvent have a summary of updates from throughout today:

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/05...n-railway.html

The class 800/801/802 operated by GWR, LNER, Trans Pennine Express & Hull Trains are being inspected by Hitachi engineers throughout today and will be returned to service as and when each set has been cleared to re-enter traffic. Hull Trains have announced that their trains are back in service having been passed fit by Hitachi, and it appears that some LNER units are now ready to return as well.

Tony

It looks like the usual 'Litigation Thing'.

At the slightest sign of trouble, the whole fleet gets grounded. The concept of Corporate Manslaughter is a sound one IMHO, but the downside of it can be cancellations or delay.

But the thing about accident prevention is that you never know when you've been successful - because nothing happens. It costs alot of money and by definition you have nothing to show for it. Difficult to convince the bean-counters that it MUST be done. ;)

It's only when your safety regime has a hole in it that it becomes blatantly obvious.

Cheers, John

This part failure sounds like a manufacturing/build problem rather than a design fault, so with luck they should be able to sort it out quickly.

As the disruption is set to continue "for several weeks", LNER are bringing some class 91s back into service. In addition, other operators have strengthened their services across all of the affected routes where possible, including Great Northern, Cross Country, South Western Trains and Transport for Wales.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/05...spections.html

Tony

The class 800s are being returned to service - it is reported that following "thorough inspections" it has been deemed that the cracks do not pose a safety risk. The trains operated by Hull Trains, TransPennine Express & ScotRail have already re-entered traffic, whilst the GWR-operated units will be returning from toady (Thurs 13th May). LNER intend to reintroduce the class 800s from next week (Mon 17th May).
A programme of repairs will be drawn up to be carried out later - in the meantime the inspection regime continues to allow the trains to run.

https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/6001...igorous-tests/
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/05...spections.html

Tony